Callum Chick extends Newcastle Falcons stay

Homegrown back-rower Callum Chick has signed a new two-year deal with Newcastle Falcons as the club continues to build on firm foundations.

The 24-year-old has already amassed 83 first team appearances, scoring three tries in 11 games this season after recovering from knee surgery.

“Newcastle is my boyhood club, I used to come here as a fan and I just love being part of it,” said the Ponteland native, who has won a Junior World Championship with England Under-20s.

“The lads are great, the set-up is really good at the Falcons and it was an easy decision.

“I’m enjoying my rugby on a personal level, the team are showing up well and when I looked at the whole situation I just knew I wanted to commit here.”

Unperturbed by the wealth of back-row options at a club whose coaching set-up includes former England No.8s Dean Richards and Nick Easter, Chick said: “There’s huge competition in the back row here with loads of fantastic players, but that just drives the level of performance from all the boys.

“We’ve got quality players fighting for position every week, and that’s a good place for any club to be.

“As a player you know that if your foot comes off the gas at any point there are guys ready to come in and take your spot, so you have to be on it every single week.”

Director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Callum is a huge talent who has worked incredibly hard on his game.

“He has made a major contribution to the side since battling back from his early-season injury, and should be a big player for this club for a lot of years to come.

“We’ve made no secret of the fact we enjoy showcasing our local boys, and to see the way Callum is now consistently catching the eye at Premiership level is incredibly pleasing.”

Newcastle have won their last two Gallagher Premiership matches against Northampton Saints and London Irish, and this weekend travel to reigning champions Exeter Chiefs.